Adverbial clauses. 1. When an adverbial clause follows the principal clause, no comma is generally used

1. When an adverbial clause follows the principal clause, no comma is generally used. When it precedes the principal clause, it is separated from it by a comma.

The solicitor addressed me as he descended the stair. (Ch. Bronte)

He sank into a silence so profound that Aunt Hester began to be afraid he had fallen into a trance. (Galsworthy)

He drew the blanket over his head that he might not hear. (Voy­nich)

When Phyl called to see how Pearl was getting on, she found her still curled up sulkily in her arm-chair. (Lindsay)

Though I had now extinguished my candle and was laid down in bed, I could not sleep. (Ch. Bronte)

If any shareholder has any question to put, I shall be glad to answer it. (Galsworthy)

2. An adverbial clause of result coming after the principal clause, which is usually the case, is often separated by a comma.

The thicket was as close as a brush; the ground very treacher­ous, so that we often sank in the most terrifying manner. (Ste­venson)

ADDITIONAL REMARKS

§ 18. If in a complex sentence there are two or more homogeneous clauses, they are separated from each other by a comma.

When dusk actually closed, and when Adele left me to go and play in the nursery with Sophie, I did not keenly desire it. (Ch. ВгоШё)

§ 19. At the end of every kind of declarative non-exclamatory sen­tence — simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex — a full stop is used.

Young Jolyon poured out the tea. (Galsworthy)

All the life and expression had gone out of his face; it was like a waxen mask. (Voynich)

They turned back towards the bridge over which the Cardinal's carriage would have to pass. (Voynich)

§ 20. At the end of a sentence expressing a question, real or rhetorical, a question mark is used.

Do you recognize that letter? (Voynich)

Is this a dagger that I see before me? (Shakespeare)

A question mark is used at the end of sentences containing questions even if the order of words is that of an affirmative sentence.

And he wants you to live on cocoa too? (Galsworthy)

You deny that it is in your writing? (Voynich)

§ 21. At the end of exclamatory sentences an exclamation mark is used.

It's a lie! (Voynich)

What a beautiful voice that man has! (Voynich)

§ 22. To indicate a sudden stop in the thought a dash or two dashes are used.

Oh! how I wish — But what is the use of wishing? (Fowler)

" Oh, well, " he said, " it's such a long time since__ __" He faltered.

He stopped. (Mansfield)

It should be noted that the use of most stops largely depends on the will of the writer.

^[3] The example is borrowed from A Modern English Grammar by O. Jes persen.